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Re: Information on Ford 3-ton special tractor M1918 tank
Rebecca Collier
Aug 7, 2019 3:18 PM
1 person found this helpfulDear Mr. Ponton,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the Motor Division Decimal Correspondence Files, 1918 -1919 in the Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance (Record Group 156) and located correspondence indicating that ten Ford 3-ton Special Tractors were to be shipped overseas (Document # MT 451.22/271, dated September 26, 1918, Box 21). It does not indicate whether they actually were shipped or arrived overseas. There may be additional information in other parts of this or other Chief of Ordnance correspondence files. For access to the indexes to these correspondence files and/or copies of this 3-page document, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.
We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
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Re: Information on Ford 3-ton special tractor M1918 tank
Thanks for your reply! I will surely check out those files! I did just recently find evidence that they did make it to France! But when is the question. Also what kind of "testing" did they do when they got there? And did they see combat at all wile they were there, even as an artillery tractor?
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Re: Information on Ford 3-ton special tractor M1918 tank
Rebecca Collier
Aug 21, 2019 9:06 AM
1 person found this helpfulDear Mr. Ponton,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the National Archives Catalog and located two series titled General Correspondence, 1915 - 1941 and the Name and Subject Card Index to Correspondence, ca. 1912 - ca. 1941 that has numerous cards for tanks, tank tractors, and testing. The staff of the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) will be pleased to make the Name and Subject Card Index available to you or your representative in the Textual Research Room located 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, near the University of Maryland--College Park campus. The Textual Research Room (Room 2000) hours are 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. The RDT2 consultation room hours are 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. No appointment is necessary. Prior to your visit, please consult College Park websites at https://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/college-park/, https://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/self-service-copying.html, and https://www.archives.gov/research/start/getting-started.pdf.
We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
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